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Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Christmas Devotion: The Gift - Ephesians 1:7-8

Ephesians 1:7 -8 In Him we have
redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance
with the riches of God's grace that
He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.

Every year, I see people putting themselves under a lot of
pressure trying to make everything perfect for Christmas. I watch others lavish
their loved ones with precious gifts and expensive presents. I look at parents
who are desperately trying to find the right gifts for their children, as well
as hoping that in the last week before Christmas, their children won’t suddenly
change their minds. It’s all done with a great deal of affection and it’s just
part of being human, of showing our love to those nearest and dearest in our
hearts.

In the midst of all this hurrying and scurrying, there’s one
lavish gift that is available for each of us. It doesn’t come free, because it
was paid for with the life-blood of a holy young man. It can’t be purchased in
stores, because it comes straight from heaven. And it cannot be re-used or
given away once it is received, because it is an everlasting gift of God’s
infinite love.

The old word associated with this lavish gift is ‘Redemption,’
which doesn’t have a lot of meaning in a post-modern world. Redemption is an
essential part of a process which means that those who receive this gift are
brought back into God’s favor, their mistakes are deleted, and their lives are
re-started. In the entire history of the world and the personal circumstances
of every single human being, it’s the most important gift ever to be offered
and the greatest blessing that people can ever to receive.

It comes wrapped in a manger and is built upon a cross. It
comes with instructions and ends with praise. It has humble beginnings and promises
a glorious end. This lavish gift is, of course, Jesus Christ, the Holy Son of
God, the Savior of our souls, the Lord of all Creation, and the King of kings. There’s
no greater gift in life because what He offers is a greater life than we could
ever know on Earth. And He’s the Gift that keeps on giving, for every day
someone somewhere in the world accepts and receives this amazing bounty of God’s
blessing.

May you know this lavish gift in
your life, and may all of your loved ones receive Him, too.

Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in
Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment or ask a question about
today’s message, please send him an email to traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is John’s latest Nativity drawing. It’s called “The
Outsiders.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the
following link: